Last weekend, my roommate, who is originally from Detroit, asked if I'd like to go see the Yankees/ Tigers game at Yankee stadium. One of the things I'm having trouble with is sitting in small spaces, such as theater or stadium seats for long amounts of time.
I can bend my knee past 90°, but not simply, so sitting with my knee down for a long period of time, with people pushing past in crowded rows, is just very difficult for me.
I told her that I would have some trouble with the seats, but that if she wanted to check into handicapped seats, I would definitely be interested.
So here is Yankee Stadium's policy on handicapped seats. Wheelchair only, $90 a seat. So, if you are on crutches, no dice. If you wear leg braces and can't do stairs, or fit into a seat, no go. And heaven forbid you have a tight budget, or are not rich, because $90 is the ONLY price range available.
Isn't it interesting that the Yankees built a $1.3 billion dollar stadium, that seats 51,800 people, as long as you're either able bodied, or very specifically in a wheelchair, with $90 a seat to blow. Their handicap policy, which should be a vehicle to make the stadium more inclusive, is actually quite the opposite.
I realize that I have a very short term issue, in the grand scale of my life time. I'll be able to get back into a stadium seat before the end of the season. But for people who don't have short term disabilities, people who deal with physical handicap for their entire lifetimes, they have no option. I find it atrocious that Yankee Stadium, the shining accomplishment of one of the most popular and well known teams in America, has such a limiting policy.
It proves without a doubt, in my mind now and forevermore, that the Yankees Suck.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Gym
I'm back at the gym. Back to my old friend/nemesis, the exercise bike. Back to 10:00 to 3:00, 10:00, 3:00.
I'm working on my range of motion, and I cant get all the way around the pedal circumfrence, so I have to go back and forth, back and forth to expand the range my knee will allow. It's really an exciting, stimulating exercise. Right up there with cheese grating for caloric burn.
It's good to be back in the gym, though. This weekend I did a little upper body work for the first time in a month. I've lost a lot of the strength I had, which is frustrating. I was able to do some incline presses, fly press, and bicep curls. My arms feel like lead weights, but I kind of like that feeling again, it's been a while since I've felt it. For some reason, the sore muscle feeling in my left leg is very different, so I've missed this feeling.
My scar is coming along very nicely. For not quite a month after surgery (tomorrow is 4 weeks) it's actually quite flat and smooth. Not too purple or twisted. A friend sent me a really good article on scars.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/21case.html?_r=1&ref=health
I'm working on my range of motion, and I cant get all the way around the pedal circumfrence, so I have to go back and forth, back and forth to expand the range my knee will allow. It's really an exciting, stimulating exercise. Right up there with cheese grating for caloric burn.
It's good to be back in the gym, though. This weekend I did a little upper body work for the first time in a month. I've lost a lot of the strength I had, which is frustrating. I was able to do some incline presses, fly press, and bicep curls. My arms feel like lead weights, but I kind of like that feeling again, it's been a while since I've felt it. For some reason, the sore muscle feeling in my left leg is very different, so I've missed this feeling.
My scar is coming along very nicely. For not quite a month after surgery (tomorrow is 4 weeks) it's actually quite flat and smooth. Not too purple or twisted. A friend sent me a really good article on scars.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/21/health/21case.html?_r=1&ref=health
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Here's the Poop
Ok, this is your warning. This next entry is about my gastrointestinal trials. If you don't want to read about poop, stop reading now.
Right after surgery, i had been warned about Vicodin and the effects it has on one's digestive tract. I'd been told to eat lots of fiber, as it constipates you horribly. I thought I got off lucky, because while it did take me 4 days after surgery to poop at all, generally, it was just a little firmer, and a little less regular than normal. The problem was that the longer I was on the vicodin, it continued with these two trends.
I was so relieved this week to get off the vicodin, (or at least cut way back, i'm still taking it in the evenings) and moving on to ibuprofen. Here's the problem. I seem to have gone completely the opposite way now. I'm still eating lots of fiber, but things have, to put it kindly, gotten soft. Really soft.
I have a list of goals that I keep in my head, through this surgery. some of them are small, (sleep through the night) some are larger (able to dance and my cousin's wedding in Sept). I never thought that one of them would be to have a comfortable, normal poop.
Right after surgery, i had been warned about Vicodin and the effects it has on one's digestive tract. I'd been told to eat lots of fiber, as it constipates you horribly. I thought I got off lucky, because while it did take me 4 days after surgery to poop at all, generally, it was just a little firmer, and a little less regular than normal. The problem was that the longer I was on the vicodin, it continued with these two trends.
I was so relieved this week to get off the vicodin, (or at least cut way back, i'm still taking it in the evenings) and moving on to ibuprofen. Here's the problem. I seem to have gone completely the opposite way now. I'm still eating lots of fiber, but things have, to put it kindly, gotten soft. Really soft.
I have a list of goals that I keep in my head, through this surgery. some of them are small, (sleep through the night) some are larger (able to dance and my cousin's wedding in Sept). I never thought that one of them would be to have a comfortable, normal poop.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Tough Week
This week has been particularly difficult.
On Monday, I went back to my first full day of work. Ugh, what a long day. I did ok until about 3:00. At that point, be it from exhaustion or vicodin, I was literally falling asleep at my desk. Like Narcolepsy style, unable to do anything to keep my eyes open.
The week progressed, and Wed, I started my process of weaning off both Vicodin and my crutch. I only take Vicodin in the evenings now, to settle the discomfort down and then put me to sleep. Wed was particularly tough, I'm using ibuprofen during the day to keep the pain manageable, but it really isn't the same as my pal Vicodin. I came home exhausted, basically passed out on the couch. I did some checking online, and found that there are no serious risks to combining Ambien and Vicodin, so I took an Ambien before bed.
Yeah, Ambien and me don't mix. First of all, I moved around in bed way more than normal. I also managed to sit up quickly and smack my face into the shelf next to my bed, and bruise the bridge of my nose. Secondly, while I did sleep for 8 hours, I woke up ridiculously groggy, and that grogginess didn't subside the whole day. I felt like I hadn't slept at all. Additionally, my knee ached and I couldn't get comfortable at all. I went ahead and went to work, however, and tried to make it through the day.
I only made it until 11:00. My knee ached, I was uncomfortable, and I couldn't focus. I went home, realized I was out of vicodin, and had to go to the pharmacy to get more. By the time I got home from that trip, I was truly miserable, and ready to lay on my couch and moan.
Friday was a little better, but still exhausting. Ambien is definitely not for me. Walking unassisted is totally and completely exhausting, not to mention I look like Quasimodo loping along. I slept for 10 hours last night, and finally, I feel somewhat rested.
On Monday, I went back to my first full day of work. Ugh, what a long day. I did ok until about 3:00. At that point, be it from exhaustion or vicodin, I was literally falling asleep at my desk. Like Narcolepsy style, unable to do anything to keep my eyes open.
The week progressed, and Wed, I started my process of weaning off both Vicodin and my crutch. I only take Vicodin in the evenings now, to settle the discomfort down and then put me to sleep. Wed was particularly tough, I'm using ibuprofen during the day to keep the pain manageable, but it really isn't the same as my pal Vicodin. I came home exhausted, basically passed out on the couch. I did some checking online, and found that there are no serious risks to combining Ambien and Vicodin, so I took an Ambien before bed.
Yeah, Ambien and me don't mix. First of all, I moved around in bed way more than normal. I also managed to sit up quickly and smack my face into the shelf next to my bed, and bruise the bridge of my nose. Secondly, while I did sleep for 8 hours, I woke up ridiculously groggy, and that grogginess didn't subside the whole day. I felt like I hadn't slept at all. Additionally, my knee ached and I couldn't get comfortable at all. I went ahead and went to work, however, and tried to make it through the day.
I only made it until 11:00. My knee ached, I was uncomfortable, and I couldn't focus. I went home, realized I was out of vicodin, and had to go to the pharmacy to get more. By the time I got home from that trip, I was truly miserable, and ready to lay on my couch and moan.
Friday was a little better, but still exhausting. Ambien is definitely not for me. Walking unassisted is totally and completely exhausting, not to mention I look like Quasimodo loping along. I slept for 10 hours last night, and finally, I feel somewhat rested.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Bastards!
Tonight I went with a friend to see the show Tin Pan Alley Rag. It was extremely good, however sitting in a small theater seat for 2+ hours was NOT a good idea for my knee.
At intermission, I went to get in line for the ladies restroom. If you are female, and have ever used a restroom at the intermission of a show, you know that EVERY woman in the entire theater gets in line. As I move a little slow, I was toward the back of the line. I'm still using one crutch, and had a dress on, so my brace was very visible. I don't expect special treatment because of this, I'm certainly willing to stand in line. However, I do expect that people give me a touch more room in the line than normal. In my experience, when I see someone on crutch(es) I generally take a step aside, so that I'm sure not to bump him or her.
Apparently the lady in the white sweater doesn't subscribe to the same school of courtesy that I do, because she pushed right on by me, while I was at the top of the stairs, and thought nothing of it.
After the show, my friend walked me to the corner to get a taxi. We hailed one that was stopped at the light. The driver nodded to us, and we waited for the light to change, so he could pull up. Another couple crossed the street, the husband looked at me, then walked right past and peeked over his shoulder at me again as they walked up to my cab. Gold star to the taxi driver, he pointed at me, and told the guy to keep on moving, he already had a fare. The guy turned a third time and glared at me before walking on to the next cab.
Note that last sentence. There were two other cabs right behind mine. He either had to wait 20 seconds for the next cab to pull up a car length, or he had to walk a total of about 10 feet to that cab. What kind of person steals a cab from someone on crutches, when there are other cabs readily avaliable?
I'm not a very violent person, but things like this make me want to pick up that crutch and beat those people about the head with it.
At intermission, I went to get in line for the ladies restroom. If you are female, and have ever used a restroom at the intermission of a show, you know that EVERY woman in the entire theater gets in line. As I move a little slow, I was toward the back of the line. I'm still using one crutch, and had a dress on, so my brace was very visible. I don't expect special treatment because of this, I'm certainly willing to stand in line. However, I do expect that people give me a touch more room in the line than normal. In my experience, when I see someone on crutch(es) I generally take a step aside, so that I'm sure not to bump him or her.
Apparently the lady in the white sweater doesn't subscribe to the same school of courtesy that I do, because she pushed right on by me, while I was at the top of the stairs, and thought nothing of it.
After the show, my friend walked me to the corner to get a taxi. We hailed one that was stopped at the light. The driver nodded to us, and we waited for the light to change, so he could pull up. Another couple crossed the street, the husband looked at me, then walked right past and peeked over his shoulder at me again as they walked up to my cab. Gold star to the taxi driver, he pointed at me, and told the guy to keep on moving, he already had a fare. The guy turned a third time and glared at me before walking on to the next cab.
Note that last sentence. There were two other cabs right behind mine. He either had to wait 20 seconds for the next cab to pull up a car length, or he had to walk a total of about 10 feet to that cab. What kind of person steals a cab from someone on crutches, when there are other cabs readily avaliable?
I'm not a very violent person, but things like this make me want to pick up that crutch and beat those people about the head with it.
Silver linings
I try very hard to be a positive person. I look to find the silver lining in most things. As this knee surgery is generally a whole lotta crap, with not a whole lot of positive to it, I'm collecting a list of silver linings throughout the process. Here's what I have so far.
1. My tax return next year should be GREAT with all of the medical costs I can deduct.
2. Once I actually start drinking again, I'll be a cheap date, as I haven't had more than about 5 beers since May 16th, and none since my surgery.
3. Vicodin takes away my appetite. If I'm not losing weight, at least I'm not gaining.
4. Vicodin also makes cramps completely undetectable.
5. My cats are super happy, because I'm home so much.
6. My credit card company gave me a break because of my medical hardship. They're actually matching my next payment.
7. I've never been good at thank you notes, but had time to write 2 dozen to people that helped me out during my surgery and right after.
8. My mom made me frozen meals before she left, so I get to eat Mom's cooking whenever I want!
That's all I got for now, but I do have two small milestones to share. I am going to the gym today, for the first time since surgery! Not going to do much, but I"m really excited! Secondly, the CPM was picked up today! No more auto bending! Yay!
1. My tax return next year should be GREAT with all of the medical costs I can deduct.
2. Once I actually start drinking again, I'll be a cheap date, as I haven't had more than about 5 beers since May 16th, and none since my surgery.
3. Vicodin takes away my appetite. If I'm not losing weight, at least I'm not gaining.
4. Vicodin also makes cramps completely undetectable.
5. My cats are super happy, because I'm home so much.
6. My credit card company gave me a break because of my medical hardship. They're actually matching my next payment.
7. I've never been good at thank you notes, but had time to write 2 dozen to people that helped me out during my surgery and right after.
8. My mom made me frozen meals before she left, so I get to eat Mom's cooking whenever I want!
That's all I got for now, but I do have two small milestones to share. I am going to the gym today, for the first time since surgery! Not going to do much, but I"m really excited! Secondly, the CPM was picked up today! No more auto bending! Yay!
Friday, July 10, 2009
2 Week Checkup
I had my 2 week checkup yesterday.
I went into the doctor's office. I unfortunately had to wait 45 minutes to get into a room, but once in there, things went pretty quickly.
The nurse came in and removed my stitches, which is a really odd sensation. It doesn't really hurt, but it just feels creepy. Then the doc came in. He checked out a couple of range of motion things, an
d answered a few questions of mine. He gave me a couple of goals for my next visit, and easy peasy, I was done. My recovery is coming along well, I'm at a good place so far, and I need to keep up the good work.
The most exciting thing to me is that I no longer have to use my CPM machine. This is a huge relief to me, as I was struggling to find time as I got back into my regular daily routine. Plus, that thing is boring and uncomfortable. It's sitting in the corner of my living room, waiting for pickup tomorrow. I did find another use for it. Ok, I didn't find another use, my cat did. It sort of amuses me!
I went into the doctor's office. I unfortunately had to wait 45 minutes to get into a room, but once in there, things went pretty quickly.
The nurse came in and removed my stitches, which is a really odd sensation. It doesn't really hurt, but it just feels creepy. Then the doc came in. He checked out a couple of range of motion things, an
d answered a few questions of mine. He gave me a couple of goals for my next visit, and easy peasy, I was done. My recovery is coming along well, I'm at a good place so far, and I need to keep up the good work.The most exciting thing to me is that I no longer have to use my CPM machine. This is a huge relief to me, as I was struggling to find time as I got back into my regular daily routine. Plus, that thing is boring and uncomfortable. It's sitting in the corner of my living room, waiting for pickup tomorrow. I did find another use for it. Ok, I didn't find another use, my cat did. It sort of amuses me!
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